So I have always wondered, does Hawaii really have a completely different native language than the continental US? The answer is YES! Learning the correct usage and pronunciation of the Hawaiian words will deepen your understanding of the Hawaiian culture, and broaden your appreciation for the Hawaiian people.
Just 20 years ago the native language of Hawaii was teetering on the brink of extinction. However, in 1984 the FIRST Hawaiian-language pre-school on Kaua'i opened and now there are a dozen pre-schools and more than 20 Hawaiian-language immersion and public charter schools throughout Hawaii. Hawaiian is once again being spoken by people of all ages!
The Hawaiin language has 13 letters including 5 vowels and 8 consonants. Vowels (a,e,i,o,u) are pronounced similar to the Spanish language and consonants (h,k,l,m,n,p,w) are pronounced similar to English. These vowels are "clean" vowels and do not glide into another vowel sound as is common in American English pronunication.
a=ah
e=ay
i=ee
o=oh
u=oo (as in moon)
The accent in Hawaiian words is generally on the next-to-last syllable and the macron over a vowel indicates only thtat the vowel sound is held longer; it does not chnge the quality of the sound, only the duration!
a-LO-ha
ma-HA-lo
ka-ha-KO(-)
So there is your Hawaiian lesson!
Mahalo! Aloha a hui hou kakou! (Thank you! Farewell until we meet again!)
xoxoxo
Jenn
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